Ante-post favourite Billys Bullet went lame when in front in the heats of the Coral Regency over 695 metres at Hove.
Mark Wallis’s Prestige winner, who was going for a six-timer, was well clear down the far side in the last qualifier when going wrong. He was later diagnosed with a hock injury.
The race was won by Watch N Learn who went on to beat Lightning Speed by a length and a half in 42.45sec.
Kevin Hutton’s Swansalona Diva clocked the fastest time of the night in heat five when making every metre to hold Droopys Flash by a length and a quarter in 41.54sec.
Billys Bullet’s litter brother Touch Tackle, a 1-4 chance, gave his supporters a few anxious moments in the fourth qualifier when missing his break.
The pace was set by his litter brother Market Height’s, a marathon runner, however Touch Tackle changed gear down the far side to lead approaching the fifth turn and held on by just over a length in 41.89sec.
Droopys Cottage justified 2-7 favouritism to land the opening heat.
Dean Childs’ runner trapped second to early leader Genie and hit the front from the third turn to beat the Romford raider by just over six lengths in 41.93sec.
Tybar Hondo justified constant support throughout the day in the second qualifier. Carol Weatherall’s runner was led to the third turn by Bubbly Time but went past and held the renewed challenge of the Golden Jacket runner-up by a head in 42.17sec.
Sunderland Grand Prix winner Farley Rio broke his run of seconds and won his first race this year in the third qualifier.
Kevin Boon’s runner flew out of the boxes while market rival Midway Nick was badly hampered at the opening turn.
Farley Rio went on to beat Alma Radar by just over two lengths in 42.05sec.
Draw:
First semi:
1 Bubbly Time
2 Droopys Flash
3 Genie
4 Market Heights
5 Millwards Teddy
6 Alma Radar
Second semi:
1 Black Francis
2 Last Legs
3 Droopys Cottage
4 Watch N Learn
5 Swansalona Diva
6 Lightning Speed
Third semi:
1 Touch Tackle
2 Woodmancote Bert
3 Aayamzamodel
4 Farley Rio
5 Tybar Hondo
6 Droopys Tamera
